Islam and the West: Annual Report on the State of Dialogue

<strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>: <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on <strong>the</strong> State of Dialogue
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Conclusions <strong>and</strong> Paths Forward
The Inside/Outside Gap: Some of <strong>the</strong> most
significant dialogue is taking place within, not
across, religious <strong>and</strong> secular communities. <strong>Islam</strong>,
Christianity, Judaism – as well as Buddhism,
Hinduism, <strong>and</strong> various str<strong>and</strong>s of a<strong>the</strong>ism <strong>and</strong>
secular humanism – all have diverse inner
currents. Within each of <strong>the</strong>se communities,
some who hold that <strong>the</strong>y possess <strong>the</strong> complete
truth face off against o<strong>the</strong>rs who are comfortable
with <strong>the</strong>ir convictions, but respectful of <strong>and</strong>
open to <strong>the</strong> beliefs <strong>and</strong> values of o<strong>the</strong>rs.
These internal debates are often little noticed
by those outside <strong>the</strong> tradition, whe<strong>the</strong>r leaders,
citizens, or <strong>the</strong> media, until punctuated by
clashes among colourful personalities or violent
outbursts. The internal debates highlighted
within this report point to majorities of moderates
across traditions – groups that are committed
to particular beliefs <strong>and</strong> practices, but open to
learning from <strong>and</strong> collaborating with o<strong>the</strong>rs
through peaceful exchange.
Religious leaders, supported by scholars, can
do more to highlight <strong>the</strong> rich diversity within
traditions – to help both underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong>
counter <strong>the</strong> minorities attracted to extremist
views <strong>and</strong> leaders. Work within traditions can
help advance dialogue outside <strong>the</strong>m. The
Amman Message <strong>and</strong> A Common Word
Between Us <strong>and</strong> You are excellent examples of
such initiatives in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Islam</strong>ic context.
To some degree, <strong>the</strong>se four gaps – <strong>and</strong> efforts
to address <strong>the</strong>m – are a function of broader
constellations of forces. Three decades ago
Muslim-<strong>West</strong> dialogue barely figured on <strong>the</strong>
global agenda for multiple reasons, including
<strong>the</strong> East-<strong>West</strong> conflict of <strong>the</strong> Cold War, <strong>the</strong>
secular drift of Muslim <strong>and</strong> non-Muslim
majority societies <strong>and</strong> flows of information <strong>and</strong>
immigration that were far more limited than
<strong>the</strong>y are today.
As <strong>the</strong> opposition between capitalism <strong>and</strong>
communism fell away, broader debates about
culture <strong>and</strong> religion moved into <strong>the</strong> public
square around <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong> Muslim minority
grew in Europe <strong>and</strong> North America, <strong>and</strong> a global
media <strong>and</strong> communications revolution unfolded.
The relationship between <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Muslim world became more prominent on
global agendas – 9/11, <strong>the</strong> wars in Afghanistan
<strong>and</strong> Iraq, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> persistence of <strong>the</strong> Israeli-
Palestinian conflict have accelerated <strong>the</strong> process.
The <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> were never two separate
worlds. But now <strong>the</strong>y are more connected than
ever. Ignorance, suspicion <strong>and</strong> confrontation
have a long history at <strong>the</strong>ir intersection. Given
<strong>the</strong> depth of Muslim-<strong>West</strong> interpenetration
today, dialogue is now much more than an
ideal. It is a reality that increasingly connects
elites with <strong>the</strong> grass roots, political with religious
leaders, <strong>and</strong> ideas <strong>and</strong> people inside traditions
with those outside <strong>the</strong>m.
Ultimately, efforts to close <strong>the</strong>se gaps <strong>and</strong>
address global challenges at <strong>the</strong> intersection of
<strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslim world will depend
upon <strong>the</strong> actions of courageous <strong>and</strong> far-sighted
individuals. Perhaps <strong>the</strong> most compelling parts
of this report are <strong>the</strong> short essays that outline
particular programmes, strategies <strong>and</strong> experiences.
They recount trial <strong>and</strong> error, frustration <strong>and</strong>
misunderst<strong>and</strong>ing, but also surprises <strong>and</strong>
breakthroughs. The difficulties are enormous,
but as one practitioner has observed, dialogue
“is infinitely better than <strong>the</strong> alternatives <strong>and</strong>
more than worth our best effort in light of <strong>the</strong>
stakes involved.”
Dialogue designed to build knowledge <strong>and</strong>
foster trust does not always work as it should.
Sometimes it works best when expectations
are low. The diversity of approaches to <strong>and</strong>
experiences of dialogue recounted in <strong>the</strong>